Snail slime project wins gold medal at Genius Olympiad

With the coordination of professor Rossana Congedo, Alessandro Bruno, Gabriele Mariello and Roberto Leone from Liceo Scientifico "Q. Ennio" in Gallipoli have presented the data from their "A passo… di lumaca! Antimicrobico naturale per il miglioramento della shelf-life dei prodotti di IV gamma" experimental study at the GENIUS Olympiad, an international competition organised by Terra Science and Education State University in New York.

Left to right: Roberto Leone, Alessandro Bruno, Gabriele Mariello

The project had already won the Italian selection of "I Giovani e le Scienze 2017" organised by FAST (Federazione delle Associazioni Scientifiche e Tecniche) at the request of the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and part of MIUR's "Io Merito" programme. They gained the privilege of representing Italy overseas. They studied the conservation of fresh-cut products with an edible tasteless coating made with Helix slime and other natural extracts.

Left to right: Alessandro Bruno, Gabriele Mariello, Rossana Congedo and Roberto Leone at the Oswego University Campus.

Over 1,000 contestants from 71 countries and 39 states from all over the world underwent the judgement of international judges at the Ice Arena SUNY in Oswego. The young scientists have illustrated the data relating to their most recent experiments, proving the essential role their edible coating plays in preventing pathogens.

The judges were impressed by the competence shown by the Italian students and decided to reward them with the gold medal.

Past President Roberto Cusolito commented: "the recognition granted to the young Italian scientists confirms the quality of education in many schools, repays the commitment of motivated professors and stimulates the students." After the award ceremony, the President of Istituto Internazionale di Elicicoltura congratulated the Italian team.